Chisoxfn

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 23, 2015 -> 06:26 AM) Yeah, I wasn't trying to put blame on the shareholders, but their gains are still not legitimate. VW the company committed international regulatory fraud, and part of their stock's value was based on that deception. As far as who owns VW, there was actually a weird story several years back where Porsche essentially became a hedge fund company that also made cars, made a bunch of aggressive moves to try and gain control of VW, had it all blow up and their face and were then taken over by VW. The two companies are linked back to their founders, the Porsche and Piech families. A German state/province actually owns 20% of VW, Porsche's holding company owns 50%, Qatar owns 17% and I think the rest is publicly owned. The shareholders invested in a company based upon the information they were aware of. They invested based upon historical performance and historical gains and future outlook...having no idea that the company was tainted.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 22, 2015 -> 08:01 PM) Excellent post. I don't think I focus on EVERY negative out there, BTW. I'm not that defeatest. Bomber with a nice bombshell. Good post. You can't deny, Bomber is dominating this thread. Nice Bomber follow up post. Greg - I think it was more me pointing out that you tend to focus on a lot of the stories the media picks up, thinking things are far worse then they actually are, because every little thing gets covered today vs. 20 years ago. I also give you mad props for having two daughters in med school (or on their way to med school). That in and of itself is awesome and while it is a testament to them, I also think it is a testament to you and your wife. But alas, I am an optimist, I believe in good and focus on the positives. Life is too short to worry about all the negatives.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Sep 22, 2015 -> 02:46 PM) Agreed. However it does give teams the impression that if they can get Shark away from the clown college known as the White Sox, he could turn it around. The talent obviously is there. Mark I don't think the White Sox pitching staff is widely regarded as a clown college. In fact, the White Sox have a very positive reputation around baseball in working with and getting the most of out their pitchers.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 22, 2015 -> 03:57 PM) Then let's make a world where I can't make that remark. You are no different then Greg. Just like Greg, you focus on every negative out their (in his case...it is violence...in your case it is race). Reality is significant progress has been made in terms of race / sexual discrimination. Is it perfect, no, but we are light-years ahead of where we were previously. Is it perfect, no, and you'll tell me how my argument about what I do doesn't matter, but if everyone treated everyone equally it would matter. I'm married to a minority and my kids are minorities and my daughter is a female and minority, so double minority. I can tell you that I will raise my kids to believe they can do anything. I will not ingrane one iota of because you are a women X or you are not white then this is going to happen. Even if it means they have to drive for more, my kids are going to be raised being role modeled by parents who are accepting and they will have that mentality. Could someone take issue and still not give them that chance in the future, sure, but If that is the case, I want them to use it as extra motivation to work harder because they can. You can say I live in a world of lala land but that is my mindset. I'd rather people spend time thinking they can vs. they can't and why not me vs. it can't be me.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Sep 22, 2015 -> 09:25 AM) Wow. That sucks. I would be fuming (ok, the pun was kind of intended). Yeah that is awful. I also think the fact that you have the company fined vs. people who conspired put behind bars, is also awful. Fining the Company doesn't hurt the execs, it hurts all the shareholders who lose their money because of the inethical actions of a few.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 22, 2015 -> 12:55 PM) I think it's a truly brilliant strategy on his family's part. I mean, think about it. Nothing bad ever happens to people of minority groups when they're in the hands of the police and I defy anyone to provide any recent examples to the contrary. Such a freaking terrible post. This post is right up their with this whole thread.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 21, 2015 -> 03:32 PM) Because they are the Raiders, where have been the last 7 years or so? Yeah...but they actually are a decent team.

Wow...this is going to be interesting. Claussen against the Legion of Boom.

Jeb Kasich Rubio

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 08:23 PM) One good coaching hire since 1984: Carroll. Enough is enough with Haden Just so you know, when they hired Carroll...the fan base was beyond livid at how awful a move it was.

Is Cutler's hammy injury believed to be serious or will he be playing next week?

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/john-fox-m...-who-want-do-it Fox is a breath of fresh air. On a sidenote, how is a Raiders team that is 1-1, have the 2nd highest odds to be the #1 pick? Did I miss something?

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 01:16 PM) No sacks in first 2 games................WOW People got unrealistically optimistic. We have absolute s*** in the secondary (although Maybe Amos turns into something) and our best LB was underrated a year ago along with a former bust in Shea. Its going to be a really long year defensively and we are going to lose a lot of games. That said, hopefully some picks from this year pan out and we can hit on a some underrated / unknown guys who can be serviceable. We have zero playmakers on defense.

Just goes to show you how bad we are without Jay. I'm curious what the tape indicates on that pick. People covering Bears were indicating Bennett was supposed to stop and the pick was on Marty. Looked like Marty was settling in and then he all of a sudden took off on a curl (not sure what the route was). Either way, if we have learned one thing this week...our secondary f***ing blows (and I am not learning that this week...I've been saying it all along) and Claussen is terrible. Either way, this year is all about getting the top pick and Connor Cook.

I hope none of you were those pathetic losers that I see on the front page of the trib's website cheering / defending Kane and his right to be at practice. I understand he has the right, but its pathetic for you go to waste your pathetic lifes to cheer on a guys who may have done something horrible. I'm not saying everyone should have been their to boo him, but s***, I'd understand that more than these losers. Like I said, he has the right to practice, but the need to go cheer on his right to be their is just pathetic.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 09:34 PM) I can't really picture a scenario where a Republican wins anytime soon. They are a rotten mess as if you look at the debates it's worse than high school. Don't some of the national polls show that the republicans would win (in a hypothetical vote vs. Madam Clinton)? Also, the senate and house have a republican majority and the republicans cleaned up during the last mid-year election. I realize you might have the opinion that the repubs are disorganized and horrible (and you disagree with their policy / approach) but the recent voting track record might disagree with that. Bottom line, I expect this to be an extremely close election and any prediction that the other party has no chance is just crazy talk at this point. If Trump (who I hate more then any candidate) is able to get this much attention (along with other outsiders like Carson & Carly) and traction, it should tell everyone (Repub / Dem) about how sick and f***ing tired we are about what is going on in Washington.

I don't see the downside of giving him the QO and he accepts. Shark could be bad, but odds are he's going to be much closer to the guy he was vs. 2015. He's also going to be insanely motivated (of course he was probably already insanely motivated this year) but I think even more so. You get him for the year and then deal him at the deadline (if you aren't in contention). If you contend, great, you got him for another year and can still attach a QO offer after this season and get your draft pick compensation. And if he takes the QO and totally sucks, well, that isn't going to impact your long-term strategy anyway.

And Greg...how do you like Donald just lying to the entire audience (and not some little white lie or minor mistake, but a big f*** you kind of lie). Guy is a f***wad. He could care less about anyone but himself. Trump is by definition a megalomaniac. But in honor of fair and balance, I will give Trump credit for saying he would waive the right to have social security and I do agree with him that the breaks around hedge funds are a joke (Bush and a few others also agree).

One other sidebar, but a lot of these candidates need to go away. I am looking at you Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and to be frank Chris Christie. The longer all of these candidates stay, the more fragmented the republican base is and the more likely it is Trump wins the primaries. The more the other candidates go away and I think the more that vote goes to candidates not named Donald Trump. You started to see it a bit when Walker and Christie came to defense of Bush...but If we are going to not have Trump win this thing (and as a republican I don't even want to imagine that clown winning...I think I'd rather be ran by a socialist like Bernie then a clown like Trump), the other candidates are going to have to get in cahoots and push up the few non Trump candidates. That might mean you push Carson up as well (as I think he'll get some of that vote) but I still don't buy into Trump getting a lot more of the vote as others exit (but then again...I never thought he'd be where he is today, so what do I know).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 10:08 AM) Forgot to say it, but I agree on the bolded. I was initially happy when they said they were going for more interplay - and they did get that - but they set those up mostly as just "X said this, how did that make you feel?" which is weak sauce. It isn't often I complement Fox (Faux) News, but they did far better with their debate. It appeared that the moderators goal was to get candidates to bicker with each other vs. talk strategy. It was deplorable and awful, but I expect nothing less out of CNN. They are an awful news station. Fox has its own issues, although I do enjoy Kelly & O'Reilly (but can't stand Hannidy). With Fox, you know you'll get some slanted news, but CNN's coverage over the last 10 years has gone to the tubes. It is a news stations and half the time I go to see what is on, I get some non news related television. If I want to watch news in a live feed, I'll go to BBCNews.

By the way, of all the candidates, I feel bad for Bush. He has to deal with trump and it just isn't a pretty situation for him when they go back and forth. Bush makes a good statement, Trump just blutters and jumps over...Bush tries to be the gentlemen but looks bad either way and to a reasonable person, you realize Trump is the ass, but somehow I just imagine everyone will go, yeah Donald...stick it to Bush for making a true statement about how you tried to BUY / bribe your way into Casino gambling. Sucks cause the debate should be more about the policies and it just doesn't happen with Trump in their. That said, as the night went on and questions got more pointed, you could see Trump take a back seat. But seriously...do people think for a second about his sound bites...on day 1 as president I am going to evict 11M people. How the f*** are you going to do that? Are we going to have whack an illegal day and just take a national holiday with everyone beating anyone they thinks is an illegal till they all flee the country? Lets apply some realism to the scenario, which I will give Kasich and Bush credit for (more then anyone else), who understand, you can't just do the things that some of these people are saying..it is f***ing impossible (let alone in most cases stupid). Do people not have BS meters or do they just ignore reality. By the way, I also think what Bush says about 4% growth is absurd, but s***, at least what he's talking about is to try and create positive energy and vibe and something that is ultimately good for our country (no one could argue that if we had 4% growth that was sustained over a few year run that it would be a great thing). Maybe I'm just an optimist but I like the people who talk about making this country great and being great. I don't want to hear what a s***hole this place is and blah blah blah and how we suck at everything (see the Donald). And his solution is, he's smarter and his friends are smarter and he's a billionaire, so yeah, I'll make it great again. I'll build walls and magically evict all illegal's and I'll solve the foreign issues by getting along with these people better (HOW Mr Trump...How?). I don't think having a scotch and cigar with Russia's president is going to solve much of anything.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 06:58 AM) I'll also add my not-with-a-specific-party take on the debate. I watched most of it, up through medical marijuana and climate change or so... Winner: Carly Fiorina, no doubt. She had the best performance of any candidate in either debate so far. Her conflation and overstatement for dramatic effect on the abortion thing was laughable, but was serious red meat for the crowd she was targeting. Most of the rest of her debate she handled very well, especially her response on Trump's comments about her looks. I was impressed. The lunatic fringe: Cruz and Huckabee did their usual - using sweet and syrupy dialogue to deliver wholly impossible policy ideas while barely masking the obvious hate that drives them. Nothing new to see here. Trump: You could tell he was trying to come off as more "reasonable", and when he wasn't being pressed too hard, he managed to come off as competent and understandable. But as soon as somoene pushed a button, the obnoxious jackass would come out. I'd say he did more harm than good, as people start to see who he really is, but he didn't flop either. Rubio: He's got this odd thing where he comes off as so, so stiff and rehearsed, which makes him seem shallow. But honestly, it was when he got firey that I liked him best. I think overall he helped himself in this one. Clearly overmatched on that stage: Walker just isn't smart enough to keep up. Not a surprise he is falling like a rock. I'm not sure he even makes it to Iowa. Carson in the same boat, there just isn't much substance there. Carson is a lot smarter than Walker, but they both lack any real depth as candidates. Kasich: I want to like the guy, and I do in terms of policy, and in his more positive messaging. But he's starting to get too repetitive on his record and not engaging enough. Also the GOP primaries just won't nominate him, much like Huntsman in the last cycle (nevermind that Kasich is closer to Reagan policy-wise than anyone else on that stage). Paul: Smug, smug, smug. As always. Unelectable personality-wise. Has some novel ideas I like, but doesn't matter. Christie: I'm not sure what to make of him. He's trying so hard for the Common Man thing, but it doesn't come off as believable. He also really goes to that 9/11 stuff way too often. Policy-wise I think he'd actually be quite moderate, which is great, but he comes off more as the President of a fraternity than of the US. Bush: Helped himself a lot, closest to winning outside of Fiorina. Showed some fire, defended his family, struck a slightly more centrist tone. He should jump in the polls soon. I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also think that Rubio would be my #2 ranked from pure who won the debates (considering both). He is very good and electric in front of a Mike and like you, I like when I get passionate. Trump, who I can't stand, did much better today then last debate (not that it impacted the polls) but he's still awful. I'll give him credit at times he tried to be a bit more polite, but he's such a smug, egotistical jackass. With Carson, I realize everyone likes him, but I see no reason any of what he discusses could ever happen (and I want to like the guy, but I couldn't vote for him). I think, outside of Bush, the best actual president would be Kasich (he might even be better then Bush in my eyes) but unfortunately I don't see him getting elected. I like Rubio / Kasich as potential VP candidates (don't think Bush / Fiorina would be VP's). I don't even mind Christie as a VP. For whatever reason I like the guy, but I tend to like the more moderate republicans.

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 17, 2015 -> 03:28 AM) He is extremely likable. I thought he and Fiorina looked the best. Trump was exposed and was fun to see others fight back at him. Thought Jeb was doing well until he said his brother protected the country. I thought Jeb did pretty well and I agree, his brother did protect the country. I don't think many would disagree with the statement that he made the country safer. Jeb never said he George didn't have his faults, just said the country was a safer place (and the crowd ate it up and other candidates sure jumped in and backed it up as well). In fact, I think the opposite, the way Trump handled that situation could be one of the first signs of weakness for him as I don't think people liked that reaction. But I'm the wrong judge cause I don't like much anything Trump says.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 16, 2015 -> 08:19 PM) I'll watch the highlights. Heard some facebook grumblings that CNN was not asking about issues, trying instead to get the candidates to blast each other. These debates have turned into opportunities for the journos to "build their brand." Meghan whatever her last name is built her brand with her fight with Trump. Any media 'stars' tonight? Any media moment like Meghan? The CNN debate was horribly ran by the moderators and didn't even compare to the FoxNews debate. That said, the candidates were much more aggressive in this debate. But Greg, Meghan Kelly is fantastic at what she does and the way Trump has handled her after is just despicable and goes back to a testament as to how he is. Would anyone think it is a good idea if Trump treated other world leaders the way he treats people he didn't like? In what world is that a good idea. I don't understand the Trump fascination (other then pure entertainment value for how dumb he is). It is despicable.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 16, 2015 -> 07:01 AM) I'm with you, I've never done an oil change on my own, and don't plan on it either. I only did it once so I could say I did it once. I'd never do it again. Plus, a lot of places, by the time you get a coupon, you really don't save anything. I get my oil changed for 19.99. No way am I going to be able to do it for any less.